The Phantom 1, originally known as the Phantom, was released on January 7, 2013.[1] It uses 2.4 GHz for control and is powered by a 2200 mAh battery, giving it a flight time of about 15 minutes.[2][3][4] It did not include a built-in camera, but it can be fitted with an optional mount for aGoPro HERO camera.[4] The drone uses a GPS-enabled NAZA-M autopilot system allowing it to hover with automatic wind resistance.[2][5]
After the success of the Phantom 2 Vision, DJI released a camera-equipped version of the Phantom 1 as the Phantom FC40.[6] The drone features a FC40 camera on a fixed mount capable of capturing 720p video at 30FPS. The aircraft uses 5.8 GHz for control allowing the 2.4 GHz band to be allocated for FPV downlink.[7] It uses aniOS/Android app for control and comes with Wi-Fi and GPS modules. Using a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection, it provides almost real-time aerial video on a mobile device, allowing the pilot to capture images and videos as is.[8] The camera angle is manually set before each flight.[6]
Modified Vision+ V2.0 with a Vision+ V3.0 compass module on the right landing leg and an externalRemote ID module mounted on the base of the left leg.
Released in October 2013, the Phantom 2 Vision was the first model to feature a built-in camera.[9][10] The camera is mounted on a one-dimensional gimbal and is capable of recording 1080p video at either 30 or 60 FPS or taking 14-megapixel stills onto amicroSD card.[10][11] The motorized gimbal gives the camera 60 degrees of vertical motion.[12] The drone also features a Wi-Fi module, a GPS-enabled position holding, return-to-home capability, a Naza-M flight control system, and self-tightening propellers.[11][12] The drone connects to iOS or Android devices via an app, allowing the operator to control the camera and view flight data. Battery capacity was increased to 5200 mAh, giving the drone a flight time of 25 minutes.[12]
The Phantom 2 was released in December 2013 as a camera-less version of the Phantom 2 Vision.[13] Although it did not include a built-in camera gimbal, an optional two-axis Zenmuse H3-2D gimbal was made available to mount a GoPro HERO3 camera.[6][14]
Released in April 2014, the Phantom 2 Vision+ replaced the Vision's single-axis gimbal with a self-stabilizing three-axis unit.[15] The gimbal mounts a redesigned camera with the same specifications as the Vision and has 90 degrees of vertical tilt, allowing the Vision+ to point the camera straight down.[16][17] An upgraded version was released in late-2014 as the Phantom 2 Vision+ V3.0 with more powerful motors andelectronic speed controllers (ESC), Model 9450 propellers, and an improved compass module.[18][19]
In April 2015, DJI released the first two third-generation Phantom models; the Phantom 3 Professional and Phantom 3 Advanced.[20] The Phantom 3 introduced a visual positioning system, allowing it to hold its position without GPS.[20] The drone uses a Lightbridge video transmission system, replacing the Wi-Fi system of previous models.[21] Both models feature aSony Exmor 1/2.3" camera, with the Professional being capable of shooting 4K video at 30 FPS while the Advanced is limited to 2.7K video. Both models are also capable of shooting 1080p video at 60 FPS, use GPS andGLONASS for navigation, and are powered by a 4480 mAh battery, giving them a flight time of approximately 23 minutes.[22][23]
The Phantom 3 Standard was released in August 2015 as a cheaper alternative to the Advanced and Professional.[24] Like the previous models, the Standard features a 1/2.3" camera, which is capable of shooting both 2.7K and 1080p video at 30 FPS as well as 720p video at 60 FPS.[25] Unlike the other models, Standard retains the Wi-Fi transmission system and lacks the vision positioning system as well as GLONASS compatibility.[24][25]
The Phantom 3 4K was released in January 2016.[26] Similar to the Standard, the Phantom 3 4K is uses a Wi-Fi video transmission system, but is also fitted with the visual positioning system and 4K Sony Exmor camera of the Professional.[27][28]
The Phantom 3 SE was originally released exclusively in China in early March 2017, though a worldwide release came in August of that year to select markets.[29][30] An improved version of the Phantom 3 4K, the SE's video transmission system was upgraded to transmit live 720p video to the controller, up from the 4K's 480p live video. The drone's range was also increased from 1.2 km (0.75 mi) to 4 km (2.5 mi), though this is restricted in some markets.[29][31] The SE uses the same 4480 mAh battery as previous models, though flight time was slightly increased to 25 minutes.[32][31]
The Phantom 4, released in March 2016, introduced a new outer shell design as well as a push-and-release propeller locking mechanism.[33] An obstacle avoidance system was added, which uses four cameras (two facing forward and two downward) and an ultrasonic sensor.[33] The drone also introduced the ActiveTrack and TapFly features, with the former allowing the drone to autonomously track moving objects, including people, with its camera while the latter allowing the drone to be controlled by tapping on the video stream in the DJI app.[33][34][35] The drone is equipped with a 1/2.3" camera with an electronic shutter capable of shooting 4K video at 30 FPS or 1080p video at 120 FPS, while a new 5350 mAh battery gives it a flight time of approximately 28 minutes.[33][36][37]
Phantom 4 Pro+ in flight
The Phantom 4 Pro was released in November 2016 with a new 20-megapixel Exmor R camera featuring a 1-inch (25 mm) CMOS sensor.[38][39] The obstacle avoidance system was also upgraded rearward-facing sensors as well as infrared sensors on both sides.[40] The Phantom 4 Pro+, offered alongside the Pro, features a controller with a 5.5-inch screen and an integrated flight app, allowing it to be flown without a separate mobile device.[38][41] The Pro uses Model 9450S propellers and is powered by a 5870 mAh battery, giving it a fight time of approximately 30 minutes.[39][41] During the 2017IFA Berlin trade show, DJI announced a new version of the Pro/Pro+ as the Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian and Pro+ Obsidian, respectively. The Pro/Pro+ Obsidian is largely identical to the baseline Pro/Pro+, differing only in that both the drone and remote have a matte black color and that the camera and gimbal are made of magnesium and have anelectroplated anti-fingerprint coating.[42][43]
The Phantom 4 Advanced was announced on 13 April 2017 as a replacement for the Phantom 4.[37] The drone features an upgraded camera with a 1-ingh CMOS sensor and a mechanical shutter, capable of shooting 4K video at 60 FPS.[37][44] The drone is capable of processingH.264 video at 60 FPS andH.265 video at 30 FPS.[37] Like the Pro, the Advanced was also offered with a controller with a 5.5-inch screen as the Phantom 4 Advanced+.[37]
In May 2018, DJI quietly released an upgraded version of the Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ as the Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ V2.0.[45] The Pro V2.0 retains the camera of the Pro, but features an OcuSync transmission system, improved ESCs, and Model 9455S low-noise propellers which are backwards compatible with the original Pro.[39] Production of the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 was suspended in late 2018 or early 2019 due to what DJI called "a shortage of parts from a supplier", though DJI denied rumors that the Phantom was being discontinued.[46][47] Production was restarted in January 2020 after the supply issue was sorted out.[47]
Released in October 2018, the Phantom 4 RTK was designed for aerial mapping and surveying. Based on the Pro, the Phantom 4 RTK added areal-time kinematic (RTK) positioning module capable of connecting to GPS, GLONASS,Galileo, andBeiDou satellites.[48][49] In addition to RTK, it uses a redundant GNSS module, installed to maintain flight stability in regions with poor signal.[50] The drone is fitted with an FC6310R camera, which is identical to the Exmor R camera of the Phantom 4 Pro but with a glass lens instead a plastic one. The Phantom 4 RTK records images only inJPEG format and videos inMOV format.[51][52]
An agricultural model of the Phantom 4 was announced on 25 September 2019 as the P4 Multispectral, dropping thePhantom name.[53] Based on the Phantom 4 RTK, the P4 Multispectral integrates a six-sensor camera array, which includes an RGB camera and five narrow-band sensors, being the first drone to do so.[54][55] The P4 Multispectral uses Model 9455S low-noise propellers as standard, though standard Phantom 4 propellers are also compatible at the cost of reduced performance.[56] Battery capacity remained at 5870 mAh, but flight time was slightly reduced to approximately 27 minutes.[57]
Details of a replacement for the Phantom 4 RTK were leaked in March 2022 as the Phantom 4 RTK SE. The leak did not reveal any significant changes between the RTK and RTK SE, but did note that the latter would not include an Intelligent Flight Battery charger and that the power cord wattage would be reduced from 160W to 100W.[58] The Phantom 4 RTK SE was listed for sale on the DJI website as late as January 2023.[59]
In 2018, leaked photos of silver-colored Phantom drones circulated, with the drones speculated to be prototypes of a Phantom 5 variant. However, DJI denied that the photos were of Phantom 5 prototypes, stating that they were a one-off order for a customer.[60] In April 2019, rumors circulated that the planned replacement for the Phantom 4 series, the Phantom 5, had been canceled, with the project manager being reassigned to another device.[61] These rumors were also denied by DJI, with the company's communications director Adam Lisberg stating "As for the Phantom 5 rumors, we’ve never said we considered making a Phantom 5 in the first place, so there’s nothing to cancel."[62] Instead of continuing the Phantom series, DJI replaced the Phantom 4 Pro with theMavic 3 Pro.[63]
Example aerial video ofSnowdonia filmed with a DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ quadcopter
The DJI Phantom series has been popular with hobbyists and enterprise users due to its functionality and price point.[64][65] Phantom drones have been marketed at theConsumer Electronics Show (CES) for several years.[66][67] The Phantom has been used fordrone journalism,[68] hurricane hunting, 3-D landscape mapping, nature protection,[69] farming, search and rescue,[70] aircraft inspection, tornado chasing, and lava lake exploration.[71][72][73][74][75][76] TheFox Broadcasting Company also used Phantom 2 Vision+'s to promote24 duringSan Diego Comic-Con in 2014.[77]
The Phantom has been used byISIS inSyria andIraq to scout for battle planning and conductaerial bombing by dropping small explosives on enemy troops, with at least one ISIS supporter posting instructions to a forum on how to operate the drone for military use.[78][79] In the summer of 2014, ISIS shot footage of a Syrian airbase inTabqa with a Phantom FC40.[80] ThePeople's Defense Units reportedly shot down several ISIS Phantoms inKobani in December 2014.[79]
Despite US sanctions on DJI, theFBI has continued to order the Phantom 4 Pro as late as 2021, citing in a procurement justification that "the DJI P4P is the only commercially available consumersUAV to combine ease of use, high camera resolution and obstacle avoidance at an acceptable cost."[81][82]
LaterPhantom 1, company designationModel P330.[83] Original variant with a NAZA-M autopilot system, 2.4 GHz control frequency, and a 2200 mAh battery giving it a flight time of approximately 15 minutes.[2][3][4][5] Released on January 7, 2013.[1]
Phantom FC40
Company designationModel P330D.[84] As the Phantom but with 5.8 GHz control frequency and a built-in FC40 camera mounted on a ground-adjustable gimbal.[6][7][8]
Original Phantom 2 variant with a camera mounted on a one-axis gimbal 60 degrees of vertical motion and a 5200 mAh battery giving it a flight time of 25 minutes.[10][11][12] Released in October 2013.[9]
Phantom 2
Company designationModel P330Z.[85] As Phantom 2 Vision but with the camera and gimbal removed.[13] A removable two-axis Zenmuse H3-2D gimbal was available as an option, capable of mounting aGoPro HERO3 camera.[6][14] Released in December 2013.[13]
Phantom 2 Vision+
Also known as thePhantom 2 Vision+ V2.0, company designationModel PV331.[86][87] As Phantom 2 Vision but with a redesigned camera mounted on a self-stabilizing three-axis gimbal with 90 degrees of vertical motion.[16][17] Released in April 2014.[15]
Phantom 2 Vision+ V3.0
Upgraded Phantom 2 Vision+ with more powerful motors andelectronic speed controllers (ESC), Model 9450 propellers, and an improved compass module. Released in late-2014.[18][19]
Company designationModel W322,W322A, andW322B.[88][89][90] First Phantom 3 variant with aSony Exmor 1/2.3" camera limited to 2.7K video at 30 FPS, a visual positioning system, a Lightbridge video transmission system, GPS andGLONASS navigation, and a 4480 mAh battery giving it a flight time of approximately 23 minutes.[20][21][23] Released alongside the Professional in April 2015.[20]
Phantom 3 Professional
Company designationModel W323,W323A, andW323B.[91][92][93] As Phantom 3 Advanced but with Sony Exmor 1/2.3" camera capable of shooting 4K video at 30 FPS.[20][22] Released alongside the Advanced in April 2015.[20]
Phantom 3 Standard
Company designationModel W321.[94] As Advanced/Professional but with a Wi-Fi video transmission system, the camera limited to 2.7K and 1080p video at 30 FPS, and without the vision positioning system or GLONASS compatibility.[24][25] Released in August 2015.[24]
Phantom 3 4K
Company designationModel W325.[95] As Phantom 3 Standard but with the visual positioning system and 4K Sony Exmor camera of the Professional.[27][28] Released in January 2016.[26]
Phantom 3 SE
Company designationModel W328.[96] As Phantom 3 4K but with an upgraded video transmission system, increased range, and a flight time of 25 minutes.[29][31][32] Released in China in March 2017 and worldwide in August 2017.[29][30]
Rear quarter view of a Phantom 4 (left) and Phantom 4 Pro (right). Apparent are the side and rear obstacle avoidance sensors on the Pro. These sensors are absent on the original Phantom 4, with this drone using the space for aPart 107 registration.
Phantom 4
Company designationModel WM330A.[97] Redesigned variant with a new outer shell, push-and-release propellers, an obstacle avoidance system with four forward/downward-facing cameras and an ultrasonic sensor, a 4K 1/2.3" camera with an electronic shutter, and a 5350 mAh battery giving it a flight time of approximately 28 minutes.[33][36][37] Released in March 2016.[33]
Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+
Company designationModel WM331A.[98] As Phantom 4 but with a 20-megapixel 1" Exmor R camera, an upgraded obstacle avoidance system with rearward-facing cameras and infrared side sensors, Model 9450S propellers, and a 5870 mAh battery giving it a fight time of approximately 30 minutes.[38][39][40][41] The Pro+ differs from the Pro in that it has a controller with a built-in 5.5" screen and integrated flight app.[38][41] Released in November 2016.[38]
Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ Obsidian
As Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ but with a matte black color and a magnesium camera/gimbal with anelectroplated anti-fingerprint coating. Announced at the 2017IFA Berlin trade show.[42][43]
Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ V2.0
Company designationModel WM331S.[99] Upgraded Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ with an OcuSync transmission system, improved ESCs, and backwards compatible Model 9455S low-noise propellers.[39] Released in May 2018.[45]
Phantom 4 Advanced/Advanced+
Company designationModel WM332A.[100] Replacement for the Phantom 4 a mechanical shutter capable of shooting 4KH.264 video at 60 FPS andH.265 video at 30 FPS. The Advanced+ differs from the Advanced in that it has a controller with a built-in 5.5" screen and integrated flight app.[37][44] Announced on 13 April 2017.[37]
Phantom 4 RTK
Company designationModel WM334R.[101] Variant of the Phantom 4 Pro designed for aerial mapping and surveying with an FC6310R camera, a redundant GNSS module, and areal-time kinematic positioning module compatible to GPS, GLONASS,Galileo, andBeiDou satellites.[48][49][50][51] Released in October 2018.[49]
Phantom 4 RTK SE
Variant to replace the Phantom 4 RTK. Details of the RTK SE were leaked in March 2022.[58]
P4 Multispectral
Company designationModel WM336.[102] Agricultural variant of the Phantom 4 RTK with a flight time of 27 minutes, Model 9455S low-noise propellers, and a six-sensor camera array with an RGB camera and five narrow-band sensors.[54][55][56] Announced on 25 September 2019.[53]
A Phantom FC40 crashed into a tree on theSouth Lawn near theWhite House in the early morning.[108][109][110] US PresidentBarack Obama and First LadyMichelle Obama were in India at the time of the incident, though both of their daughters were at the White House.[108] The pilot was identified as Shawn Usman, a scientist of theNational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency who was flying the drone recreationally at around 3 a.m. when he lost control of it.[108][110] Usman toldSecret Service investigators that had been drinking shortly before he lost control, and that he had gone to bed shortly thereafter, only contacting the authorities later in the morning after friends notified him of news reports of the incident.[111] The drone was not detected by the White House's radar system due to its size, but was seen by Secret Service officers who were unable to bring it down.[108] Investigators concluded that the incident was unintentional and Usman was not charged with a crime, though theFederal Aviation Administration reviewed the incident for a possible administrative action.[110] In response to the incident, DJI released a firmware update for the Phantom 2 family to prevent them from flying within 25 km (16 mi) ofWashington, D.C., centered around theWashington Monument.[112] Aviation had been heavily restricted within 10 nmi (19 km) ofRonald Reagan Washington National Airport since theSeptember 11 attacks, though Usman stated that he was unaware that the restrictions also applied to small drones.[110]
18 February 2016
A recreational drone pilot crashed their drone, a Phantom, during a ceremony at theAustralian War Memorial inCanberra.[113] No one was injured. The drone reportedly landed near the Memorial's Director and former defence ministerBrendan Nelson, who picked it up and subsequently handed it to security staff.[114] Following aCivil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) investigation, the pilot was fined $900, which, according to a CASA spokesman, closed the matter.[114]
11 June 2016
Stephanie Creignou was attending a5K run inBeloeil, Quebec when a Phantom 3 fell and hit her on the head.[115] She was taken to hospital, where she was diagnosed withwhiplash.[115] As of 22 June, she was still out of work and had to cancel a holiday with her husband.[115] Rosaire Turcotte, who operated the UAV that crashed, said he couldn't understand how it happened and that he'd acted safely.[115] The incident was caught by a camera on a different UAV, one owned by VTOL-X Drones, a company hired to cover the event.[115] VTOL-X CEO Flavio Martenkowski said he had spoken to Turcotte about the danger of flying so near to a crowd just before the crash.[115] TheTransportation Safety Board of Canada opened an investigation into the crash.[115]
21 September 2017
A civilian Phantom 4 collided with aUH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in the evening over the eastern shore ofStaten Island, New York City, United States.[116][117] The helicopter was one of two with the82nd Airborne Division flying out ofFort Bragg on duty for theUnited Nations General Assembly.[116] The helicopters were able to continue flying and landed atLinden Airport.[116] Nobody was hurt, but part of the UAV was found at the bottom of the main rotor system.[116] In December 2017, theNational Transportation Safety Board issued an accident report into the collision, finding the pilot of the UAV at fault.[117] The UAV operator deliberately flew the UAV 2.5 miles away from himself and was unaware of the helicopters' presence.[117] The operator did not know of the collision until contacted by the NTSB and when interviewed by them showed only a general cursory awareness of the regulations.[117] There was also atemporary flight restriction in place, from which the Black Hawk (but not the UAV) was exempt.[117] UAVs are prohibited from flying beyond the pilot's line of sight under FAA regulations.[117]
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